Sara Watkins Biography & News

Sara Watkins Details

About Sara Watkins

About Sara Watkins

You may have heard of Nickel Creek, the progressive bluegrass group that took the country music scene by storm at the turn of the century. Still, you may not know that Sara Watkins was a fiddler and founding member of the group (alongside brother Sean and mandolinist Chris Thile), or that she also plays ukulele, guitar and percussion and also kick started a solo career.

With Nickel Creek, Watkins released a total of five studio albums, one compilation album and seven singles. But since the band went on hiatus back in 2007, she has since released two solo albums of her own, the self-titled "Sara Watkins" and "Sun Midnight Sun" on Nonesuch Records. Isn't it funny, now, that Nickel Creek is back together again? It's all been keeping Watkins tremendously busy.

As a solo act, Watkins has worked with a literal who's who of the industry. Her first album was produced by bassist John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame. She toured in 2008 with Robert Earl Keen, did a spot on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallonn" with Jones on bass and Questlove of The Roots on drums, and in 2012 toured with Jackson Browne as the opening act for his acoustic winter tour. And that "Sun Midnight Sun" album? It featured guest appearances by Brown and Fiona Apple.
Watkins has also been featured on Needtobreathe's album "The Outsiders," played Royal Festival Hall in London, played on The Decemberists' 2011 tour and performed as a musician and singer on John Mayer's "Born and Raised" album.

Nickel Creek announced its reunion and a handful of tour dates in early 2014, as well as a new album.